Do you know where to get help? When life’s circumstances overwhelm, and nothing seems to be working out as planned. When the days are messy, and the children are fighting all the time, and you feel tired, and your husband is late from work.
But do you know the place where you can find mercy and help in abundance?
Sometimes, amid life’s busyness, I almost forget it exists. But, then I am often reminded of a song that focuses on this invisible place; the throne of God, which goes with me wherever I go.
“I know of a secret place-
Quietly I seek His face
Everywhere, in a crowd or alone,
Everywhere, in this place, I am at home.”
– Bjarne Johnsen
There is mercy and help available!
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus knows how we feel. When He walked the earth as a man, He might not have had the same circumstances as we have, but He sure felt the same temptations and weaknesses.
He knows how easily we are triggered to respond impatiently when things don’t go our way. He knows how quickly we are tempted to worry about tomorrow.
And He knows what it feels like when people don’t treat you right. But although He was tempted, He never sinned!
And Jesus is there, before the throne of his Father, pleading our case (1 John 2:2). And not only when we mess up after we fell and sinned. Of course, we need mercy when that happens – but isn’t that a bit late?
If He is there, always, anytime, anywhere – why should we wait while drawing near to the throne after we’ve sinned? After we’ve snapped at our children, for example. Or after we’ve talked negatively about someone to a friend. Or after we are so stressed out that we’ve lost all of our joy and peace inside…
Isn’t it much better to seek Him exactly when we need it the most, or as the Bible says: “in time of need”?
Am I humble enough?
I have experienced that He will give grace and help in time of need when I ask for help! He can fill me with strength and power to respond in love and with wisdom. But I also know for sure that I could have sought this throne much more often.
I could have received the strength to respond with kindness even though I’m tired, for example. Or the power to retain my joy in difficult circumstances. It could have prevented a lot of situations and responses that I regretted afterward…
What’s the reason that I didn’t show up before this throne as often as I could?
If I’m honest with myself, I know the reason. I did not feel the need to seek that throne. In a way, I thought that I could manage things myself. Even unintentionally I might have thought that I could do it on my own.
I didn’t realize that to do good, I cannot rely on myself. I forgot how weak I am, and how easily I am tempted to sin. I can do nothing on my own – I have to fully rely on God!
So, it’s my pride that keeps me away from this throne. Because when I realize I am dependent on God to do good, I would seek that throne much more often! When I am humble, of course, I will continuously seek God’s mercy and help.
And that’s what I intend to do. I will dwell before the throne of grace every single day. I will make it my home.
